Avalanche triggering apparatus

Abstract

An avalanche triggering apparatus having a tower, a detonation chamber, and gas supply lines that are configured to deliver fuel gas and oxidizer to the detonation chamber. The flow is gas is controlled remotely, and a spark plug is configured to ignite gases within the detonation chamber based on the flow of fuel gas through a flow switch that acts as a sensor. The detonation chamber has a closed, rounded top and an open bottom end that is configured to face a snow surface. The detonation chamber is connected to the tower via mounting brackets and two pairs of isolator springs. Each isolator spring is comprised of a helical cable isolator that is inserted through a plurality of holes in two aluminum members in a helical configuration. The tower is comprised of at least two sections that are secured together via flanges.

We claim: 
     
       1. An avalanche triggering apparatus comprising:
 (a) a tower having a first end, a second end, and a top part, the first end of the tower being connected to a base, and the top part of the tower being connected to a detonation chamber; 
 (b) two gas supply lines that are configured to deliver fuel gas and an oxidizer to the detonation chamber; 
 (c) a spark plug that is configured to initiate combustion of gases within the detonation chamber when activated by a flow switch; 
 (d) a battery that is configured to provide electricity to the spark plug; and 
 (e) means for controlling remotely a flow of gas through the gas supply lines; 
 wherein the detonation chamber is connected to the tower via mounting brackets and a plurality of isolator springs; 
 wherein the detonation chamber comprises a closed top end and an open bottom end; and 
 wherein the open bottom end of the detonation chamber is configured to face a snow surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tower is comprised of at least two sections that are secured together via flanges. 
     
     
       3. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tower has a height, further comprising a ladder that is situated along the height of the tower and a handrail that is situated at a top of the ladder. 
     
     
       4. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detonation chamber is cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
       5. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the tower is covered by a cover plate with an overhanging lip. 
     
     
       6. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detonation chamber is at a 15-degree angle relative to the top part of the tower. 
     
     
       7. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tower is cylindrical in shape with a constant outer diameter from top to bottom. 
     
     
       8. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top of the detonation chamber is rounded so as to prevent snow and ice from accumulating on the top of the detonation chamber. 
     
     
       9. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detonation chamber comprises at least one lifting bracket that is configured to facilitate lifting and transport of the detonation chamber, and the top end of the tower comprises at least one lifting bracket that is configured to facilitate lifting and transport of the tower. 
     
     
       10. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first mounting bracket is attached to the top part of the tower and is comprised of two side members and a front plate;
 wherein the two side members of the first mounting bracket are attached to opposing sides of the top part of the tower, and the front plate of the first mounting bracket extends across a front of the top part of the tower and connects the two side members of the first mounting bracket; 
 wherein a second mounting bracket is attached to the detonation chamber and is comprised of two side members and a front plate; 
 wherein the two side members of the second mounting bracket are attached to opposing sides of the detonation chamber, and the front plate of the second mounting bracket extends across a back of the detonation chamber and connects the two side members of the second mounting bracket; and 
 wherein the front plate of the first mounting bracket and the detonation chamber are at a same angle relative to the tower. 
 
     
     
       11. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a first pair of isolator springs is situated in between the front plate of the first mounting bracket and the front plate of the second mounting bracket on a first side of the first and second mounting brackets, and a second pair of isolator springs is situated in between the front plate of the first mounting bracket and the front plate of the second mounting bracket on a second side of the first and second mounting brackets; and
 wherein each isolator spring is comprised of a helical cable isolator that is inserted through a plurality of holes in two aluminum members in a helical configuration. 
 
     
     
       12. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each isolator spring is configured to provide one inch of movement at a pull force of 4000 pounds. 
     
     
       13. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the two gas supply lines connects to the detonation chamber at a pipe union;
 wherein each of the two pipe unions comprises a check valve; and 
 wherein each of the two pipe unions is slanted downward so as to prevent snow or sleet that blows up into the detonation chamber from entering the gas supply lines. 
 
     
     
       14. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an ignition box that is situated on an inside wall of the top part of the tower,
 wherein the ignition box contains the battery, at least one capacitor, a voltage converter, and at least one terminal block. 
 
     
     
       15. The avalanche triggering apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flow switch is configured to be activated by the flow of fuel gas from one of the two gas supply lines.